Recent news from The MOAA Newsletter. View previous editions of Council and Chapter News here. Send updates about your affiliate’s activities to chapters@moaa.org for possible inclusion in future editions.

Sharing Your News in the New Year

As we move into 2025, MOAA will be looking at how we communicate council and chapter news and information. We want to find more effective ways to share the efforts and stories of MOAA affiliates with the broader MOAA audience. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

Kentucky Council President Committed to Serving Veterans

Brig. Gen. Leslie E. “Les” Beavers, USA (Ret), “gravitated to MOAA” because of a belief in its mission. “I find that MOAA is really a critical organization in advocating for our servicemembers, active and retired,” he said.

When the Bluegrass (Ky.) Chapter was in danger of closing, he stepped in to serve six terms as president. He's now wrapping up a three-year term as president of the Kentucky Council of Chapters.

Beavers also was the first commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, a 10-year job.

Read more about his efforts to give back to the military and veterans’ community.

Star Fort Chapter Honors Its Hometown Heroes

From November to January, the faces and names of 30 veterans who served in World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and other conflicts were displayed on 15 light poles in the city of Greenwood, S.C. This Hometown Heroes project was led by the Star Fort (S.C.) Chapter, which unveiled the banners Nov. 11. They will be displayed annually to honor local veterans.

Read more about this new program.

Surviving Spouse Corner: 2024 in Review

From participating in advocacy efforts and training seminars to increasing membership, the Surviving Spouse Advisory Council had an impactful past year.

By Gail Joyce, MOAA board of directors and Surviving Spouse Advisory Council member

The eight members of the MOAA Surviving Spouse Advisory Council (SSAC) — along with many surviving spouse liaisons and individual survivors — impacted thousands of surviving spouses, spouses, and military members during 2024 through our advocacy efforts, training program, special presentations, speaking engagements, chapter meetings, and individual counseling sessions.

Read a recap of this past year’s activities and accomplishments.

Submissions Due for Levels of Excellence, Communications, Strobridge, and Surviving Spouse Liaison Awards

National MOAA is now accepting submissions for the Levels of Excellence, Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Award, Colonel Steve Strobridge Legislative Chair/Liaison Award, and Surviving Spouse Liaison Excellence Award. The deadline for all awards is Feb. 15. Find more details and access the submission portal.

Upcoming Important Events, Dates, and Deadlines

Jan. 14: Quarterly Council President/Independent Chapter President Meeting, 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern. Topics will include prospective member information sharing and communications privacy concerns. Invitation and virtual meeting link to be provided.  

Feb. 28: The MOAA Foundation Community Outreach Grant application window closes. Visit moaacharities.smapply.us to apply.

From the Field

MOAA chapters give back to their communities through fundraising efforts, community- service projects, scholarship programs, and other initiatives. Here are some recent activities.

The Mahoning and Shenango Valleys (Ohio) Chapter hosted its annual Christmas luncheon and fundraiser in December. During the event, the chapter auctioned wrapped gifts to raise over $1,000 for its ROTC and Junior ROTC programs and the YSU Veterans Services Center.

The Grand Canyon (Ariz.) Chapter was recognized during Northern Arizona University’s Military Appreciation football game on Nov. 9. Chapter President Col. Tom Waddell, USAF (Ret), represented the chapter.

The General Omar N. Bradley Mid-Missouri Chapter presented a check for $500 to the local chapter of Toys for Tots, which distributed 51,822 toys in 2023. The chapter raised the funds through its “Pass the Hat” collection.

National MOAA Travel Schedule

Here are the councils and chapters MOAA leaders will be visiting over the next few months.

• Jan. 7, Alabama Council of Chapters, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), Affiliated Councils and Chapters
• Jan. 9, Portsmouth Area (Va.) Chapter, Capt. Jim Carman, USN (Ret), Council/Chapter and Member Support
• Jan. 11, Cape Fear (N.C.) Chapter, Lt. Col. Karon Uzzell-Baggett, USAF (Ret), MOAA board of directors
• Jan. 15, Susquehanna (Md.) Chapter, Capt. Kathy Thorp, USN (Ret), MOAA board of directors
• Jan. 16-18, Florida Annual Training Seminar, Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), MOAA president and CEO, and senior MOAA staff
• Jan. 17, Mahoning and Shenango Valleys (Ohio) Chapter, Capt. Jim Carman, USN (Ret), Council/Chapter and Member Support
• Jan. 17-18, Louisiana Council of Chapters, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), Affiliated Councils and Chapters
• Jan. 17, Columbia (S.C.) Chapter, Capt. W.G. “Bud” Schneeweis, USCG (Ret), MOAA board of directors
• Jan. 23, Los Alamitos Area (Calif.) Chapter, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), Affiliated Councils and Chapters
• Jan. 23, Flagler County (Fla.) Chapter, Dena Kilgore, Affiliated Councils and Chapters
• Feb. 8, NYS Capital District Chapter, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), Affiliated Councils and Chapters
• Feb. 12, White River (Ind.) Chapter, CWO4 Lelia P. Jackson, USMC (Ret), MOAA board of directors
• Feb. 16, Mid-Hudson (N.Y.) Chapter, Dena Kilgore, Affiliated Councils and Chapters
• Feb. 20, East-Central Alabama Chapter, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), Affiliated Councils and Chapters
• Feb. 27, Tucson (Ariz.) Chapter, Dena Kilgore, Affiliated Councils and Chapters
• Feb. 28, Tampa (Fla.) Chapter, Maj. Gen. April Vogel, USAF (Ret), MOAA Government Relations